Launch of the week

Anyone interested in the modern warbirds of the world can look forward to premium, yearly volumes dedicated to the latest developments in the air forces across Europe

AirForces of the World

On sale out now

Frequency annually

Price £5.99

Distributor Seymour

Display with AirForces Monthly, Combat Aircraft

Key Publishing is back at it again, with yet another bookazine launch in the premium specialist sector. From the makers of AirForces Monthly and AirForces Intelligence comes the second volume of AirForces of the World. 

The annual title takes a special look at the airplanes, armament and battle plans of the top European countries, thoroughly examined in 100 pages of analysis and reviews.

AirForces Monthly generated more than £280,000 revenue in 2017 and Key Publishing expects good performance of Volume 2, so display this title prominently to capitalise on fans of aviation.

This week in My week in magazines we take a look at how you can cash in on collectables

Shopkins

On sale out now

Frequency monthly

Price £4.99

Distributor Marketforce

Display with This Is Unicorn Universe, My Little Pony, Sparkle World

  • Shopkins magazine has all the quizzes, fun and stories that come with these shop-themed rascals.
  • Aimed at five-to-nine-year-olds, this is a colourful magazine with a free Shopkins toy on every issue and plenty inside to keep them occupied. This issue comes with a free note set.

Striker

On sale out now

Frequency weekly

Price £2.70

Distributor Intermedia

Display with 2000 AD, When Saturday Comes, Backpass, FourFourTwo

  • Originally a comic strip in The Sun from 1985, Striker became the world’s first comic strip to be created in 3D animation software.
  • The comic is relaunching as a magazine, but still appears in The Sun seven days a week.

Airsoft Action

On sale 20 September 

Frequency four-weekly

Price £4.50

Distributor Intermedia

Display with Airsoft International

  • Aimed at airsoft enthusiasts, Airsoft Action offers gear reviews and advice for all forms of airsoft activities.
  • This edition looks at some of the upcoming airsoft events, alongside reviews of two new models of assault rifles.

Star Wars Insider

On sale out now 

Frequency monthly

Price £4.99

Distributor Marketforce

Display with Star Trek Magazine, Doctor Who Magazine, Empire

  • This magazine for fans of the 41-year-old franchise includes features, news and behind-the-scenes looks at Star Wars projects.   
  • This issue features an interview with sculptor Lawrence Noble, an exploration of the Millennium Falcon models and a feature on the concept art of Solo: A Star Wars Story.   

Royal Life

On sale out now 

Frequency bimonthly

Price £5.99

Distributor Intermedia

Display with Majesty, Hello

  • This women’s interest magazine is focused on the royal family, including news and photographs of latest happenings regarding the House of Windsor.  
  • This issue looks at the christening of Prince Louis, Prince Charles’ visit to Australia and this year’s Trooping the Colour.   

Puzzler Collection

On sale 19 September

Frequency monthly

Price £2.99

Distributor Marketforce

Display with Puzzler, Q Puzzle Compendium, Take a Break’s Take a Puzzle

  • A mixed puzzle magazine in circulation for 40 years, Puzzler Collection includes the most popular puzzle genres, such as crosswords, sudoku and wordsearches.
  • The special 400th issue is out this month, and includes a gold-foiled masthead and an extra competition to commemorate the occasion.

Grand Designs

On sale out now

Frequency four-weekly

Price £4.40

Distributor Marketforce

Display with Homebuilding & Renovating, Self Build & Design, Build It

  • This home interest publication is focused on extensions, renovations, self-builds and interior projects.
  • October’s issue features a new look for the magazine, and includes a free ticket to the Grand Designs Live show at ExCel, in London.

Fairy Princess

On sale out now

Frequency monthly

Price £3.75

Distributor Marketforce

Display with Disney Princess, Fairy Princess Colouring Fun, My Magical World

  • A children’s magazine for girls, Fairy Princess is full of features, stories and activities to keep kids occupied.
  • This month’s issue comes with a free mermaid doll and a competition to win a Lego Disney playset.

Private Eye

On sale 19 September 

Frequency fortnightly

Price £2

Distributor Marketforce

Specialist choice

Hitesh Patel,
Gay’s Newsagents, Hertford

Who buys it?

This has been my best-selling title for years, and it’s across-section title; men buy it more than women, but it doesn’t matter if they’re from the left, the right or the middle – people with all political views buy it.

How do you display it?

I always put it alone on the till the first week a new issue arrives, and I also put it on display in the window.

 
Marcello.png
Marcello Perricone,
magazines reporter

 

My week in magazines

Make sure you don’t miss out on collectables

Over the past few weeks, I have been travelling around the country and talking to some of the biggest names in collectables, including executives from DeAgostini, Hachette and Panini.

One worry repeatedly expressed by all of these publishers was the high return rate of collectables by newsagents, many of whom had bad experiences with partworks and collectables in the past, which put them off the genre completely.

This has led to many retailers sending those products back without first giving them a chance, which might be a mistake, given collectables’ sales are growing at an enormous rate year on year. 

According to market data from DeAgostini, the segment grew by 8% in 2017, selling between 70% and 80% of its total distribution stock. By comparison, the average magazine sells between 50% and 60% of its copies, presenting a clear opportunity to any retailer stocking items such as Lego Star Wars trading cards and Magicki Unicorns.

This might be a great time to challenge long-held opinions and give this popular trend of products a chance again. With independents representing 40% of Hachette’s collectables sales and 20% of DeAgostini’s, there is a lot of room to expand – and a lot of revenue to be made.